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Her senior season didn't end with a title, but Alie Decker saw her team improve drastically throughout the season.

BY JASON KERSEY •
Published: April 1, 2012

EDMOND — Now that she's had some distance, Alie Decker sees Edmond Memorial's state championship game appearance as a blessing.

The forward and Oklahoman Super 5 team member saw her team make drastic improvements throughout her senior season, and it almost ended with a title.

EDMOND MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL / SAPULPA HIGH SCHOOL / CLASS 6A GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL / STATE TOURNAMENT: Edmond Memorial's Alie Decker (22) smiles in the final moments of their game against Sapulpa, at the Mabee Center, on Friday, Mar. 9, 2012. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World ORG XMIT: DTI1203092145168224

Decker's potential game-winner was blocked by Edmond Santa Fe's Courtney Walker with under 10 seconds left in the Bulldogs' title-game loss.

“Many times,” Decker said of how often she replays that moment in her mind.

“There were a lot of things we could've done different, but you can't take it back.”

Edmond Memorial's state championship game appearance was its first since 1922, and Decker, who leaves as the school's all-time leading scorer, was vital to the Bulldogs' chances. Not only because of her skills, but because of her ability to adapt.

Decker was and still is very close to former Edmond Memorial coach Shane Coffey, who left after Decker's junior year to become an assistant at the University of Tulsa. So when new coach Dandy Peeler was hired, things weren't easy.

“It was really hard at first, because you're used to one coach for three years,” Decker said. “But Coach Peeler and I got to know each other and our relationship started growing, and it started to feel really natural.”